The Gambia country profile - BBC News BBC News Read more about sharing. Close share panel The Gambia is one of Africa's smallest countries and, unlike many of its west Africa neighbours, it has enjoyed long spells of stability since independence. President Yahya Jammeh ruled the country with an iron fist after seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1994. His 22-year rule appeared to come to an end in 2016 when he was defeated in a shock election result by the main opposition candidate, Adama Barrow, but Mr Jammeh has since filed a legal challenge to the result. Stability has not translated into prosperity. Despite the presence of the Gambia River, which runs through the middle of the country, only one-sixth of the land is arable and poor soil quality has led to the predominance of one crop - peanuts. Tourism is an important source of foreign exchange, as is the money sent home by Gambians living abroad. Most visitors are drawn to the resorts that occupy a stretch of the Atlantic coast.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring FACTS Image copyright AFP Adama Barrow defeated longtime President Yahya Jammeh in a shock election result in December 2016. Mr Barrow, a property developer, ended Yahya Jammeh's 22-year authoritarian rule by winning more than 45% of the vote. A member of the United Democratic Party, during his election campaign Mr Barrow pledged to revive the country's economy. President: Yahya Jammeh Image copyright Getty Images Yahya Jammeh seized power in 1994 as a young army lieutenant. He won four largely criticised multi-party elections and faced down several coup attempts before suffering a shock election defeat at the hands of opposition candidate Adama Barrow in 2016. A controversial leader, he raised eyebrows early in 2007 when he claimed that he could cure AIDS with herbs and bananas. Mr Jammeh's government has been criticised by international rights groups for its attitude to civil liberties, especially ahead of the December 2016 presidential election. He called homosexuals ''vermin'' in 2014 and said the government would deal with them as it would malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

Opposition forces attempted a coup during his absence abroad in December 2014, but security forces remained loyal to the president. MEDIA Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The government has been accused of failing to properly investigate the killing of journalist Deyda Hydra in 2004 A "pervasive climate of fear" forces most journalists to practice self-censorship or flee the country, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The law provides for jail terms for libel or sedition. Freedom House notes that journalists are regularly arrested on "flimsy and superficial" charges. State-run Radio Gambia broadcasts tightly-controlled news, which is relayed by private radio stations. Radio France Internationale is available on FM in Banjul. The government operates the only national TV station and blocks critical websites. Many news websites and blogs are based overseas and some are run by exiled journalists, according to Freedom House.

Some key dates in Gambia's history: Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Sir Dauda Jawara was The Gambia's leader from independence in 1965 until he was ousted in 1994 1889 - Present boundaries of The Gambia set by agreement between Britain and France; five years later it becomes a British protectorate until its independence in 1965. 1982 - The Gambia and Senegal form a loose confederation called Senegambia, which collapses in 1989. 1994 - Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh takes over the country in a coup. He is elected president two years later in a vote that three major political parties were barred from taking part in. He goes on to win three more elections and defeat several coup attempts. 2013 - President Jammeh announces Gambia's withdrawal from the Commonwealth, describing it as a "neo-colonial institution". Critics say the move was prompted by wide-spread international condemnation over the government's human rights violations. 2015 - President Jammeh declares the country an Islamic republic to break from the country's "colonial legacy".

2016 - President Jammeh's 22-year-rule seems to draw to close after shock election defeat by Adama Barrow. West Africa West Africa Questions Regional Characteristics Located in sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa is defined by a series of elongated countries that border the Atlantic Ocean, with an exception of Burkina Faso. The countries are small in area compared to the other parts of Africa. Western Africa makes up the largest population cluster in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the population lives in the southern coastal area, along the Atlantic, a result of European trading that led to economic development beginning in the 1200s. The area consists of plateaus with coastal plains. The coastal areas have a tropical climate while the northern areas transition to savannas. The countries to the north that extend across the southern Sahara tend to be very large, mostly steppe, and contain a lot of deserts. While the remaining West African countries tend to be smaller, elongated and have wetter environments. West African agriculture is based on cash crops for exports in the coastal trade areas. There are many different sorts of exports that come out of Western Africa.

The most common crops are peanuts, sorghum, cotton, rice, cassava, coffee, and livestock. One of the most important crops for countries like Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana is cacao, which is grown in the fertile soil of the wet areas. The countries of West Africa have incomes to a large extent derived from the sale of their products on the international market. The Europeans developed the coastal areas for trade. The people living along the coasts became the middlemen in trade, especially in the slave trade. They experienced changes of the colonial period in education, religion, urbanization, agriculture, politics, and health. The people living in the interior experienced less change, which resulted in divisions among people. All of the countries, except Liberia, experienced colonial control. The Portuguese settled in Guinea-Bissau. Togo was a German settlement. The British colonies were Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Gambia. The French colonized the remainder of West Africa, except Liberia, which remained independent. No coastal or interior railroad transportation system was developed, so the countries are not interdependent economically. Railroads were developed but they ran perpendicular to the coastal areas to transport goods and minerals to be exported.

The population distribution is coastal corresponding to the major economic regions. The southern half of the region is home to the majority of the people. Total population of the area is 210 million. Nigeria is the largest country with 123.3 million. The next most populous country is Ghana with 19.5 million people. Smaller countries include Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin. West African culture is expressed in architecture, arts, music and dance. There are more than one thousand languages. In Nigeria over 250 languages are used so all school instruction takes place in English. Muslim and Christianity are the primary religions, although there are many different religions practiced. Many people use the barter system to buy and sell goods at the markets in rural areas. Countries At 123.3 million, Nigeria is the largest country in Western Africa having 59 percent of the entire population of sub-Saharan Africa. The country has two distinct climates. A tropical climate dominates along the coast that brings heavy rainfall and high humidity. In the north there are dry, dusty winds that come from the Sahara.

English is the official language of Nigeria, but the most commonly used language is Hausa, a lingua franca in West Africa. Nigeria gained independence in 1960 and established a federal political system that divided the country into three areas based on culture. The Yoruba, located in the southwest, are people with a long history of urbanization and agriculture. Their capital, Lagos, was the first capital and now has a population of 12 million people. The Ibo people, with a population of 20 million, live in the southwest around Port Harcourt. They are less urbanized, more densely populated, and were less affected by the changes colonialism brought. The third area is the north where the Muslim population is separated from the rest of the country by location and traditional conservatism. At least 45 percent of Nigeria's population practices the Muslim religion. The federal system failed and led to a civil war from 1967 to 1971 between ethnic groups. Today, Nigeria has a large Muslim population in the north and Christians in the south. In recent years, the relationship between these two groups has worsened.

Nigerian society is being torn in two directions and the breakdown of this country would be tremendous tragedy. The country's economy is dependent on the oil reserves located in the Niger delta around Port Harcourt. Oil accounts for 90% of Nigeria's exports. Nigeria is a member of OPEC but does not have control of oil prices, which have a large impact on its economy. Those who control the oil subjugate the people. The Republic of Benin borders Nigeria on the east. It gained independence in 1960 under the name of Dahomey, and was renamed in 1975 as Benin. The population is only about 6.4 million. The official language is French, but most speak an African language. Most of Benin's population is engaged in agriculture of some kind, whether it is for cash crops or to feed their families. The average salary is only $380.00 per year. On the western side of Benin lies a small country, Togo. Togo is also a republic. It was a German colony until W.W.I when Germany lost all of its African territories.

They have a tropical climate, which secures the crops of cassava, coffee, yams, and sorghum. About 78 percent of the labor force works in agriculture. Togo is a leading producer of phosphates. Ghana, west of Togo, was once called the Gold Coast. As a British colony it was the first black nation in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence in 1957. The population of Ghana is 19.5 million. The most important export is cacao, which is grown by many small-scale farmers. Following cacao, the most common exports are coconut oil, tobacco, citrus fruits, and a variety of other commodities. Gold and diamonds are also exported from Ghana. Compared to other African countries, Ghana is well developed in manufacturing. The establishments are usually small businesses like sawmills, printing companies, and furniture building. There are a few large scaled operations that produce mostly beer, cigarettes, and nails. The GNP per capita is $390.00 a year. Burkina Faso, formally known as Upper Volta, is the only country that does not have an Atlantic border.

Burkina Faso is known to have rich deposits of manganese, gold, copper, and iron ore. There is little water supply in this country so irrigation is not possible. Only about 10 percent of the land is cultivated, and 37 percent is pasture. There is a large rural population in Burkina Faso. The population is 11.9 million. The country has many types of wild animals; elephants, hippopotamuses, and crocodiles are the most commonly seen. The Ivory Coast, or Cote dï¿½Ivoire, borders Ghana to the east. It gained independence from France in 1960. The economy developed lower-middleclass income based on the cash crops of coffee and cocoa. The land has rich soil that favors agriculture and the dense forests that are found there. The population of Ivory Coast is 16 million. At least three million of those are immigrant workers and their families. The former president of Ivory Coast built an extravagant capital, which includes a replica of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. This creation caused public resentment and great economic strain on the country. Liberia, located west of the Ivory Coast, was never colonized.

Freed slaves returning from America founded the area in the early 1800's. Due to a civil war in the 1990's over political control, Liberia's rubber plantations and iron mines ceased to function. As a result of the ensuing political and economic turmoil, 10 percent of the entire population died. A majority of the population is indigenous Africans who make up more than 15 ethnic groups. The largest are the Kpelle and Bassa. The descendants of the emancipated slaves who migrated from the United States makes up no more than 5 percent of the population. The overall population of Liberia is only 3.2 million people. Sierra Leone is an independent nation that borders Liberia on its eastern side. Its population is 5.2 million people with a natural increase of only 2.6 percent. A bulk of the population is engaged in subsistence farming. Minerals are the country's principle export. The staple food crop of Sierra Leone is rice. Imports of rice are still needed because they cannot grow a sufficient amount for themselves. Sierra Leone is the world's leader of rutile, a titanium ore, which produces half of all earnings.

Guinea, from the former French Empire, is one of the least developed countries in West Africa. It lies just west of Sierra Leone. The population of Guinea is 7.5 million. The ethnic make up of Guinea is very diverse. About 85 percent of the people are Muslim, the remainder follow traditional beliefs. The official language is French but the country has eight national languages. Mineral wealth makes Guinea potentially one of the strongest in Africa. More than 25 percent of the known world reserves of high-grade bauxite ore, used for the making of aluminum, are found here. Large amounts of iron ore also exist along with diamonds, gold, petroleum, cobalt and platinum. Guinea has great potential with all of its natural resources, but manufacturing facilities are lagging. Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony, is a small country to the west of Guinea. Its population is only 1.2 million people. Most of these people are subsistence farmers. For their staple crop they grow mostly rice, cassava, and maize. For export, peanuts and cashew nuts are the most dominant. Cattle ranching are very common in the interior of Guinea-Bissau.

Manufacturing is limited to the processing of raw materials and production of basic goods. The official language is Portuguese, but Creole, a mixture of Portuguese and African, is most common. Senegal lies west of Guinea-Bissau. Senegal's development is due to the cash crops coffee and cocoa. Its economy is dependent on the export of peanuts and phosphates and on its fishing industry. The overall population is 9.5 million people with a natural increase of 2.8 percent. French is the official language. About 90 percent of the people are Sunni Muslim. Senegal has a growing industrial sector that is one of the largest in Western Africa. Nevertheless the economy is still driven by the one single crop of peanuts. The last of the countries in Western Africa is Gambia. Senegal surrounds this country; with only it's western side on the Atlantic Ocean. Gambia has a population of only 1.3 million with an increase of only 2.4 percent. The people of Gambia are mostly Muslim. The official language is English, but each ethnic group has it's own language. About three fourths of the people live in rural villages. The main natural resource is the Gambia River.

The country's soil is mostly poor and sandy, except in the swamps. The land is ideal for peanuts, which the economy depends on. References Bradshaw, M. (1997). A World Regional Geography: The New Global Order. Madison, WI: Brown and Benchmark. Rowntree, L., Lewis, M., Price, M., & Wyckoff, W. (2000). Diversity Amid Globalization: World Regions, Environment, Development. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 2000 World Population Data Sheet of the Population Reference Bureau. (2000). Washington, DC: Population Reference Bureau. Questions 1. Which of the following is the single most important export of Senegal: a. bananas b. peanuts c. fish d. maize e. livestock 2. The population of Western Africa is: a. 210 million b. 174 million c. 182.3 million d. 85.2 million e. 198 million 3. What country was founded by freed slaves in the early 1800's: a. Nigeria b. Liberia c. Senegal d.

Gambia e. Benin 4. Which of the following countries is not located in the West African sub region: a. Sierra Leone b. Benin c. Ivory Coast d. Liberia e. Gabon 5. The African country with the largest population is: a. Nigeria b. South Africa c. Kenya d. Egypt e. Ethiopia 6. The most stable and prosperous country in West Africa is: a. Nigeria b. Ghana c. Senegal d. Liberia e. Ivory Coast 7. Which of the following countries was not a colony of France: a. Ivory Coast b. Chad c. Nigeria d. Senegal e. Tunisia 8. The most heavily populated country of the African continent, which comprises a confederation of the Yoruba, Ibo, and northern Moslem peoples is: a. Zimbabwe b. Kenya c. South Africa d. Nigeria e. Egypt 9. Nigeria's dominant export commodity, produced in quantities in the zone surrounding the Niger Delta, is: a. coal b. oil c. iron ore d. coffee e. bauxite 10.

Which of the following is not an export of West Africa: a. peanuts b. sorghum c. cocoa d. horses e. livestock 11. Port Harcourt, which contains valuable oil reserves, is located in: a. Ghana b. Liberia c. Ivory Coast d. Nigeria 12. Senegal completely surrounds this country excluding a small Atlantic coast: a. Ghana b. Gambia c. Guinea d. Guinea-Bissau 13. The staple food of Sierra Leone is: a. maize b. beef c. rice d. potatoes e. beans 14. Most of the farming in West Africa: a. uses irrigation; b. is done by migrant workers traveling on the railway system; c. is sustenance; d. is washed away by frequent floods. 15. Which of the following is not a major religion in West Africa: a. Christianity b. Islam c. Hindu d.

Native religions Submitted by Renee O'Doherty on 12-6-96 Resubmitted by Shanda Stick 4-28-97 Resubmitted by Sarah Meland 12-01-00 Gambia: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities National Holiday: Independence Day, February 18 Literacy rate: 52% (2012 est.) Economic summary: GDP/PPP $3.362 billion (2014 est.); per capita: $1,700 (2014 est.). Real growth rate: 7.4%. Inflation: 5.6%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 43.48%. Agriculture: rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats. Labor force: 777,100 (2007) agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 6%.

Industries: processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing. Natural resources: fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum. Exports: $107.4 million (2014 est.): peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, reexports. Imports: $353.1 million (2014 est.): foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment. Major trading partners: India, China, Senegal, Brazil, (2013). Member of Commonwealth of Nations Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 64,200 (2012); mobile cellular: 1.526 million (2012). Broadcast media: state-owned, single-channel TV service; state-owned radio station and 4 privately-owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available, some via shortwave radio; foreign cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable in some parts of the country (2007). Internet hosts: 656 (2012).

Internet users: 130,100 (2009). Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 3,742 km; paved: 723 km; unpaved: 3,019 km (2004). Waterways: 390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2010). Ports and harbors: Banjul. Airports: 1 (2013). International disputes: attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region as well as from conflicts in other west African states. Plot Fails to Overthrow President Jammeh Geography Situated on the Atlantic coast in westernmost Africa and surrounded on three sides by Senegal, Gambia is twice the size of Delaware. The Gambia River flows for 200 mi (322 km) through Gambia on its way to the Atlantic. The country, the smallest on the continent, averages only 20 mi (32 km) in width. Government Republic.

History Since the 13th century, the Wolof, Malinke, and Fulani peoples have settled in what is now Gambia. The Portuguese were the first European explorers, encountering the Gambia River in 1455, and in 1681, the French founded an enclave at Albredabut. During the 17th century, Gambia was settled by various companies of English merchants. Slavery was the chief source of revenue before it was abolished in 1807. Gambia became a British Crown colony in 1843 and an independent nation within the Commonwealth of Nations on Feb. 18, 1965. Full independence was approved in a 1970 referendum, and on April 24 of that year Gambia proclaimed itself a republic. Dauda Kairaba Jawara served as Gambia's president from 1970 to 1994. A military coup led by Capt. Yahya Jammeh deposed the president in July 1994, suspended the constitution, and banned existing political parties. Jammeh promised new elections, which were held in Sept.

1996 and which he won with 55% of the vote. In 1997, he returned the country to civilian rule, and in 2001, he lifted the ban against opposition parties. Censorship of the press and other repressive measures mar the country's transition to democracy. In Dec. 2004, Gambia passed a media law that allows the state to jail journalists found guilty of libel and sedition. In September presidential elections, incumbent Yahya Jammeh won a third term. In Nov. 2011 presidential elections, incumbent Yahya Jammeh won 72% of the vote, Ousainou Darboe 17%, and Hamat Bah 11% with 83% voter turnout. Unusual Geography of the Republic of The Gambia » Twelve Mile Circle » maps, geography, travel Unusual Geography of the Republic of The Gambia View Larger Map I don’t believe I’ve focused on the geography of an entire country before, but The Gambia is simply too interesting to not focus some attention on it. First, notice its remarkable shape.

It’s long and narrow like a snake as it winds its way along the banks of the Gambia River. Much of the country is floodplain flanked by low hills. It extends some 338 kilometers (210 miles) east to west, but never more than 47 kilometers (29 miles) north to south, with a maximum elevation of only 53 meters. Next, consider its size. The Gambia is barely a speck on the African map and is indeed the smallest country on the continent at only 11,300 square kilometres (4,361 square miles). As a size comparison for those familiar with United States geography, The Gambia is slightly less than twice the size of Delaware according to The World Fact Book from the Central Intelligence Agency, or less than half the size of Maryland , according to the Background Note from the U.S. Department of State. For those of you unfamiliar with those comparisons, simply note that The Gambia is really quite small. Finally, the Gambia shares a border with only one other country. It’s nearly an enclave of Senegal which surrounds The Gambia on every side except for an 80 kilometer Atlantic coastline on its western side.

A map of Senegal looks quite odd with the long ribbon of land that forms The Gambia protruding more than halfway through its lower left flank. The Gambia is divided into five divisions and a city, it’s national capital, Banjul. Many of their names remind one of its geographic placement along the Gambia River: Upper River; Central River; Lower River; North Bank; Western and the city of Banjul. These in turn are divided into 37 districts. One of these, Janjanbureh (formerly Georgetown) which is the capital of the Central River Division, rests on McCarthy Island completely surrounded by the Gambia River.Its unusual shape traced back to colonialism, and the manner in which much of Africa was divided among European powers. Rivers were strategic trade routes into the African interior where roads did not or could not exist. England gained control of the Gambia River through the purchase of trading rights from Antonio, Prior of Crato, the claimant to the Portuguese throne in 1588, and later by patent letters from Queen Elizabeth I and a charter from King James I to a British trading company.

The surrounding area of Senegal was controlled by the French, and the two came to agreement on The Gambia’s current boundaries in 1889. As colonialism began to wane it was only natural that the areas controlled by the English and the French would form into countries independently and so The Gambia, with its unusual shape, evolved towards nationhood on a different path than Senegal. Source: Wikipedia Image:TheGambia Divisions.png under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version Gambia Opens Its Land Borders to Citizens of Ebola Affected Countries - allAfrica.com Gambia Opens Its Land Borders to Citizens of Ebola Affected Countries more By Kebba Jeffang Gambia has opened its land borders to West African nationals whose countries have been hit by the deadly Ebola virus, Foroyaa can confirm. Ebrima Koroma, a health practitioner at Giboro situated near the Senegalese province of Casamance, Wednesday 12th November, 2014, informed Foroyaa that Gambia has lifted the restriction on entry into the country of Guineans, Sierra Leoneans, Nigerians and Liberians. Mr.

Koroma said, "We were told by the Gambian authorities that we can open the border to allow people to pass including those from countries affected by Ebola without restriction but with conditions." According to him, the World Health Organization is not recommending the closure of borders as part of efforts to control the spread of Ebola. He added, "Whoever comes from any Ebola affected country such as Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia undergoes screening, but for such people, we visit the places they live on a weekly basis to ensure the Gambia is safe from the Ebola virus. We are at the border both day and night because we haven't received any directive to leave the border yet." Gambian health authorities, he noted, asked them to be vigilant and screen any incoming person (visitor) as well as taking their full contacts, including their personal lines and that of the person they will be staying with in case of any suspected case. Copyright © 2014 FOROYAA Newspaper. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media ( allAfrica.com ). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 700 reports a day from more than 140 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals , representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica . To address comments or complaints, please Contact us . Gambia travel guide - Wikitravel Time Zone UTC The Gambia is a country in West Africa and is the smallest country on the continent of Africa. It has a short North Atlantic Ocean coastline in the west and is surrounded by Senegal so that it is almost an enclave. The country occupies the navigable length of the Gambia River valley and surrounding hills. Climate[ edit ] Tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May); Natural hazards : drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years).

Terrain[ edit ] Flood plain of the Gambia river flanked by some low hills — the highest point is just 53m above sea level. History[ edit ] The Gambia gained its independence from the UK on 18th February 1965. A constitution was written on 24 April 1970, before being suspended in July 1994 and subsequently rewritten and approved by national referendum on 8 August 1996. It was re-established in January 1997. The Gambia formed a short-lived federation of the Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a new 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The Gambia undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. National holidays[ edit ] The Gambia celebrates its independence day on 18 February.

There is also the Muslim festival of Eid which is celebrated by virtually all Gambians and is a 2 to 3 day event where up to 250,000 animals are slaughtered to provide food for the feast. It is also a time when Gambians, especially female, dress in their finest regalia and buy new dresses at up to 3000 dalasi. Other destinations[ edit ] Abuko Nature Reserve — tiny reserve near the beaches with shady paths to get close to monkeys, bushbucks, chameleons, and crocodiles. Bao Bolon Wetland Reserve — mixed patched of thick forest and swamp most noteworthy for its migratory birds but also home to dugongs, otters, hogs, antelope, & hippos. Makasutu Cultural Forest — a large eco-tourism project near the beaches popular as a package day trip with game drive, boat ride, & performances by locals. Ecovillage de Kartong — a coastal village, one of the oldest in the Gambia, in the southern frontier of the country next to Casamance known for birdwatching, for its white sandy beaches.

The Kartong association for responsible tourism (KART +220 7025081) offers bike tours, cooking classes and ecotourism activities. Get in[ edit ] A beach in Gambia Gambia is becoming a popular vacation destination for Northern Europeans. Therefore, many charter and holiday operators offer reasonable airfare and accommodation if desired.

Nationals of all EU/EEA member states (except Estonia, France, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain), plus Albania , Andorra , Antigua and Barbuda , Australia , Bangladesh , Barbados , Belarus , Belize , Benin , Bhutan , Bolivia , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Botswana , Brunei , Burkina Faso , Cambodia , Canada , Cape Verde , Cote d'Ivoire , Cuba , Dominica , Ecuador , Fiji , Ghana , Grenada , Guinea , Guinea-Bissau , Guyana , Honduras , Kiribati , Kosovo , Liberia , Laos , Lesotho , Macau , Macedonia , Malawi , Malaysia , Maldives , Mali , Mauritania , Micronesia , Monaco , Montenegro , Morocco , Nauru , Nepal , New Zealand , Niger , Nigeria , North Korea , Palau , Papua New Guinea , Samoa , Saint Kitts and Nevis , Saint Lucia , Saint Vincent and the Grenadines , San Marino , Senegal , Serbia , Sierra Leone , Singapore , Solomon Islands , Suriname , Swaziland , Taiwan , Togo , Tonga , Trinidad and Tobago , Turkmenistan , Tuvalu , the United Arab Emirates , Vanuatu , Vatican City , Venezuela and Zambia may enter

 the Gambia visa-free for up to 90 days.

Belgian nationals may also enter the Gambia using a national ID card in lieu of a passport. Nationals of Russia may enter the Gambia visa-free for up to 56 days. Citizens of France , Portugal , Spain and the United States may obtain a visa on arrival. Tourists from all nations arriving in the Gambia on a charter flight may enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Visas can be obtained at the Gambian High Commission in Dakar , Senegal . Single entry visas cost USD100, XOF35,000 (about USD69, so a better deal!) or multi-entry for three month period cost XOF30,000. A single entry visa could surely also be obtained at the border for XOF15,000, even when the embassy in Dakar claims and insists the opposite, as they wish you pay more to them instead! Information about obtaining a visa on arrival is available at the website of the Gambia Immigration Department . A list of countries whose citizens can enter without a visa is available at the website of the Gambia Immigration Department .

By plane[ edit ] Many visitors arrive by plane at Banjul International Airport (BJL), which is served by many scheduled and charter flights from across Europe and West Africa. TUIfly flies from Amsterdam . It should be noted that booking one-way or round trip tickets originating in Gambia on charter airlines can be difficult or impossible. By car[ edit ] Sept-places or bush taxis run from Dakar to Banjul and Banjul to Ziguinchor. It is possible use your private car to drive from Senegal to The Gambia via the border town of Amdalli (just north of Barra). The border crossing is pretty straight forward. You will need your V5 logbook. The road approaching the border from Senegal is terrible and its easier to drive next to the road as opposed to on it. Check before you travel if it is OK to bring in a right hand drive vehicle, as there are conflicting reports on the possibility of this (although some have). By bus[ edit ] There are direct GPTC buses running from Barra (a ferry ride away from Banjul) to Dakar [1] , but these are not recommended as they are slower than the bush taxis.

By boat[ edit ] Gambia boat It's possible to privately charter small fishing vessels from Dakar and neighbouring areas; though this can be fairly expensive and slow should one not be proficient at bargaining. By car[ edit ] A 4x4 is recommended if you plan to rent a car, since the roads often are in bad condition and only a minority is paved. By taxi[ edit ] There are two types of cabs: green ones (tourist cabs) and yellow ones (regular cabs). Green cabs are expensive and the price is regardless of the number of passengers. Although there is no vehicle safety inspection system in Gambia, these taxis must have basics such as seat belts and working indicators. Yellow taxis are much cheaper and the price depends on the number of persons in the cab. They are used mainly by locals, and in many tourist areas they are prohibited from picking up tourists. Often it is worth if to walk a little to get a yellow taxi. By bike[ edit ] You can rent a bike from pretty much anyone that owns one at a negotiated rate.

Cycling on major roads can be risky, as motorist safety is unreliable, some roads are not well-maintained, sand and steep shoulders cause road hazards, and pedestrians may walk or veer onto the open road without warning. In high traffic areas, taxis and vans often cut off cyclists to pick up travellers and the car horn may be used excessively to warn of impending passage. By thumb[ edit ] No, don't use your thumb. It is an obscene gesture in Gambia (meaning "take it up your *** "); instead wave if you want a car to stop. As anywhere, hitching is quite risky business, so be careful with what cars you enter and never hitch at night. Also, Gambian motorists will expect you to pay for the ride, so have some cash ready. By boat[ edit ] The Gambia River is navigable the entire length of the country. Some river creatures, both large and microscopic, can be dangerous, however. Guided tours[ edit ] There are many companies that offer guided tours in Gambia. There are also official tourist guides that will arrange transportation and guide you. They offer a good service and you will get to travel in a small group (usually 1 to 6 persons).

Beware that there are false official guides, so always meet them at their offices, around tourist resorts. Talk[ edit ] English is the official language of the Gambia. Other languages spoken include Wolof , Mandinka, Fula and Serer. Due to the country's geographical setting, knowledge of French is relatively widespread. See[ edit ][ add listing ] Entrance to Abuko Nature Reserve Abuko Nature Reserve. Daily 08:00-18:30. Nature park situated outside the village of Lamin in the Kombo North District, 25km from Banjul. At 105 hectares it is one of the smallest (if not the smallest) protected areas in Africa, but it still offers a good introduction to the Gambian wildlife. For instance there's monkeys, crocodiles and some 300 species of birds GMD35. edit Four Wheel Drive Adventure. Very popular tours visiting schools, country homes, and distilleries. James Island (Roots tour). An excursion inspired by Alex Haley's bestseller and movie Roots.

You can go there on cruise up the centre of the wide Gambia river, towards the former French trading post of Albreda and the village of Juffureh. Views of the river bank are distant. Visit the setting of Roots, an old slave trade station. Tourists are overwhelmed by locals who appear only when the boat arrives, and disappear when the boat leaves. Locals are persistent in begging for money and thrusting craft items under tourists noses. Locals insist on being paid to appear in photos. Or you go by car, e.g. with th official tourist guides on the small roads on the North Bank and sail in a pirogue from Juffareh. edit Kachikally Crocodile Pool. very popular, many crocodiles (West African Nile Crocs), opportunity to touch/pat West African Nile Crocodiles. GMD50. edit Senegal — 1-3 day trips. Warning — non-EU citizens such as New Zealanders and Australians must obtain a visa. The application takes 3 days. Gambia River National Park. Beautiful national park below Janjanbureh. The camp is pricey, but worth the money.

They will organize boat tours to see chimpanzees, baboons, monkeys, crocodiles and many more edit Sanyang Beach. One of the most beautiful beaches in Gambia. Rainbow Beach Bar is a great place to spend the day, and also has a few affordable rooms for staying the night. Public transport leaves from Serrakunda and Brikama regularly, and private taxis can also be hired for day trips. edit Money[ edit ] The country's currency is the dalasi (GMD), which is divided into 100 bututs. Banknotes come in 5, 10, 25, 50, & 100 dalasi values and you may find 25 & 50 butut and 1 dalasi coins in circulation. The exchange rates as of May 2012 are: USD1=GMD30, €1=GMD39, GBP1=GMD49, and 1 dalasi=17 CFA francs. Maestro is not accepted at all. Many tourists have problems because of that. It is better you take CFA francs, euro or US dollars with you.

If you have a Visa credit card and don't use a PIN or you forgot it, then the only bank that can help you out is (the bigger) GT Bank in Banjul, which only requires your card, your passport, and your signature. Souvenirs[ edit ] typical craft shop Kora is the main music instrument of the Wolof tribe, and could be considered the national instrument of Gambia. It is 21-stringed and built from a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin to make a resonator. It sounds like a mixture of harp and flamenco guitar. Real koras can be very expensive but small souvenir versions are also available. Tailor made clothes can be bought at cheap prices. wood carvings Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] The legal drinking/purchasing age of alcoholic beverages is 18, although it is not strictly enforced. However, it is illegal for anyone of Islamic faith to consume alcoholic beverages. Gambia's own beer, Julbrew is worth a try. It's made by Banjul Breweries, who also make soft drinks. Palm Wine is juice from palmtrees that is collected and fermented.

It is used as a kind of wine by the locals, and you may get a chance to try it if you go on a tour to rural Gambia. Baobab juice Baobab fruit Spirits. You can most of the well known spirits and liqueurs in the tourist areas along the coastal strip edit Spitits, Beers & Cigarettes. Julbrew is a lager based beer, it is mainly sold in bottles but you can get in a draught form which is a lot less gassey than the bottled. You can get most of the spirits you would expect to find at home and they are still a lot cheaper than the Costas, Greece or Turkey. Whisky, Rum, Gin, Vodka, Brandy are freely available as well as Curacao and Tia Maria. Cigarettes can be bought very cheaply at around GBP2.50, Euro 2.80 per 200 pack from all the main supermarkets or in the tourist areas. Better yet try the local street vendors, the local price is just 80p (40 Dalasi) per pack.

edit Stay safe[ edit ] The Bumsters Many of Gambia's unemployed young men have discovered that engaging (and sometimes hassling) tourists can be as rewarding as a real job. It's not a coincidence that there's a name for such persons: Bumster. Be prepared for personal questions, sob stories, not-asked-for "favours" and self-proclaimed friendship, all with the purpose of winning your favour or opening your wallet. Those not desiring such attention must use a combination of polite declination, wit, and when necessary firm refusal, if they want to be left alone. Caucasians may hear people calling them "Toubab" meaning white. Ignore them or say No. There are a number of very commonly used scams in the Gambia. If someone stops you on the street, they may tell you that they remember you from the hotel you're staying at and that they work there. They may invite you to another hotel, but this could be a scam to attempt to rob you. Also, because people are constantly looking for ways to support themselves, if they offer you assistance or directions, it may be understood that they expect some monetary compensation.

Scams also exist in which marijuana is offered to tourists or they are are invited to come smoke in a home, only to find police waiting for a hefty bribe. A simple "Sorry, I am in a hurry" could suffice to dismiss them. But don't tell them why you are in a hurry and don't say anything else after that as this may lead to a conversation — and this could lead to unwanted attention and possibly a scam. Also remember that some Bumsters are not unemployed or young and never fall for hardship stories. One last word of warning: should you feel you want to give a person some money out of sympathy or just to get rid of them it will certainly lead them to ask you for more money at a later date should you meet again. Some recommend a stern and harsh response to such requests, but this should be informed by your values and the relationship formed with the individual in question. Keep in mind, however, that you may see this person again, and they could truly be helpful if you're in a jam or need information. Many people in tourist areas are merely 'friendly facilitators' who may hope for an exchange of favors, but are genuinely harmless.

Being overly guarded could deny you an offer to join a local family for a traditional meal, or to personally meet one of the craftspeople who make the local goods for sale. The Gambia is a great holiday destination but just keep your guard up at all times. When swimming, be aware that the currents in the Atlantic waters can be strong. Always look out for flags on the tourist beaches indicating the level of danger on a red — yellow — green scale. Be careful about your political opinions, as such critical opinions against the government are considered a crime. WARNING: LGBT activities are illegal in Gambia. First offenses attract prison sentences of several months to life, fines with whipping/flogging, chemical castration, torture, vigilante killings and public execution. A second conviction invariably results in execution. Police will join in on vigilante attacks and may execute you. Businesses will turn you away and physically attack. If you're lgbt, stay out of Gambia Stay healthy[ edit ] Yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended. Meningitis vaccination is recommended. Anti-malaria pills are also necessary. Most cases of malaria in the Gambia are contracted between June and December.

Mefloquine, Doxycycline or Malarone are the medicines of choice for the Gambia, and for most of sub-Saharan Africa, because of the increasing chloroquine resistance. It is a good idea to bring insect repellent, sunscreen and other health items from your home country since these may be hard to find in some areas. Respect[ edit ] Always ask before you take a photo of anyone. Some Gambians have certain beliefs about having their picture taken, in particular by a stranger. Get out[ edit ] Senegal surrounds Gambia and there are excursions to Fathala Reserve, just north of the border, for example. Guide for getting from Banjul to Dakar: Get up early, you want to catch the first ferry at 07:00 as it is the only one which is not very busy and full of pickpockets. Leave your hotel at 06:30 if in Banjul or 06:00if in Serrakunda area, take yellow taxi. Ask for "Barra Ferry Terminal", go in, buy your ticket for GMD10 and then wait inside. Watch your bags. Board the ferry and cross.

When you arrive, ask for a taxi to the Gambia border (if he asks if you want him to take you to Senegal border say no) and refuse to pay more than GMD200. Go to Gambian customs, you will be asked questions, answer honestly. After exit stamp change your dalasis to CFA francs as this is difficult in Senegal, there is a Bureau next to customs office which has better rates than the street guys. Also change pounds sterling as they are difficult to get rid of north of Gambia. Euros and US dollars are OK. Do not give to begging children until you have done all this, otherwise you will be mobbed by kids. Walk 50m to the Senegal border, get the stamp. This is easy, no questions. Take a moto taxi from the border to the gare routier (bus station), do not pay more than XOF200 and ask them to take you to the Dakar sept-places (seven seat bush taxi).

Taxis go via Kaolack, if you are prompt you can make it all the way to Dakar in a day before darkness, however you may want to spend one night in Kaolack to get used to the differences between Senegal and Gambia before taking on the big beast of Dakar. Make sure you know where you are going to stay in Dakar, if you ask taxi driver for a hotel they will take you somewhere very expensive. If doing the reverse journey and you get stuck at the border town of Karang/Amdallai for the night, the best option would be to spend the night on the Gambian side. There is a British run NGO called Helping Charity [2] which has a guesthouse there - with some very nice accommodation. It is less than 2km from the border on the Gambian side and is highly recommended as place to stop for the night or even to spend a day or two as there is a local school on site, also. Paid GMD400 per person, per night. Gambia Map / Geography of Gambia / Map of Gambia - Worldatlas.com Print this map The Gambia, officially the Republic of The Gambia, is the smallest country on mainland Africa .

It's an agriculturally rich land, with farming, fishing, and tourism the major industries. Arab traders populated the region throughout the 9th and 10th centuries followed by trans-Saharan traders during the medieval times. Around 1230BC, Sundiata Keita founded the Mali Empire, and over 400 years it grew into a wealthy ruling, extending throughout much of west Africa . The Soninke people assumed control after the collapse of the Mali Empire during the 16th century, however they were short lived due to repeated attacks brought on by forces from Morocco and Portugal , and amidst their downfall the Portuguese claimed the region for themselves. Antonio, Prior of Crato and claimant to the Portuguese throne, sold exclusive trade rights to English merchants in 1588. Fort James, established by the British , soon had a rival fort at Albreda, built by the French . During the 17th and 18th centuries, these forts were the scenes of periodic battles between the countries striving for control of regional trade. Britain gained all rights to trade in 1783, and administered the territory from Sierra Leone until 1888, when The Gambia became a crown colony.

Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal , it formed the short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991, the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. The establishment of a new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. Jammeh won re-election in 2001, 2006 and 2011. These days The Gambia experiences relative political stability, however a third of the nation's population lives below the international poverty line. See Also

Question: What is the only country that borders Gambia
Answer: Senegal